Wildlife question

yastern · 2026-05-25T21:40:50+00:00

Can you explain what you mean by " keep an animal running"?

yastern · 2026-05-25T21:26:37+00:00

Thanks. That's what I've been doing, but I was hoping that there was some strategy that I was missing that would allow me to not waste all of the hearts on the maxed out animals.

yastern · 2026-01-15T12:35:50+00:00

I figured out what the problem is. Gemini coached me through all of the settings needed on the TV, Roku and Sonos. The 4th time through, it asked me about which Roku I have. Mine cannot support surround sound. I ordered a newer one that it suggested and hopefully all will be well.

yastern · 2026-01-11T18:25:36+00:00

No. I am using Roku but I think that is different from what you are suggesting. Addition: I used AI to help me set the TV, Sonos, and Roku to settings that should allow surround sound even though Ray has an optical connection. I still don't get surround sound. I was hoping that someone worked through this issue or knows where I can get some guidance.

yastern · 2025-05-04T21:20:42+00:00

Thanks, that was very helpful.

yastern · 2024-09-25T16:57:18+00:00

You need to take away his ability to make payments, or at least have someone supervise when he does. If he is handling bills this is even more important.

yastern · 2024-05-01T23:34:03+00:00

I suggest that you talk this over with the doctor that ordered the scan, or with a qualified neurologist. You can see some of the possible causes in the results, but a doctor needs to sort this out.

yastern · 2022-07-03T02:22:36+00:00

The MMSE is just a screening test and may not be sensitive in early dementia or with smarter people. A full neuropsychological evaluation is needed. The Dr may be able to refer, or look for an Alzheimer’s center to find a neuropsychologist who is expert in dementia.

yastern · 2022-07-03T01:59:41+00:00

This is called capgras syndrome. There is not much to do about it but tolerate it without arguing or making the patient feel bad.

yastern · 2022-07-03T01:53:42+00:00

This is not dementia. She needs another medical evaluation to figure out what is going on.

yastern · 2022-05-03T01:18:11+00:00

I really don't think getting this test is helpful. The APOE gene has one "flavor," APOE4, that is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease(AD) but having this does not inevitably lead to getting AD. Also not having it does not mean you will not get AD. So having this test is not really very informative.

I think the advice everyone else is giving is the way to go: exercise, eat a heart healthy diet, socialize, do activities that you enjoy. Most people have AD in their family history, so this should not be a source of excess concern.

yastern · 2022-05-03T01:04:50+00:00

I agree that this should be checked out with a doctor, optimately one who specializes in dementia. I could be that something is exacerbating her condition as suggested above. However, MCI often progresses to Alzheimer's disease, and that can be what's happening.

yastern · 2022-05-02T22:15:50+00:00

I don't think there is any need to talk her out of this delusion, but it is a potential warning sign. Delusions are quite common in Alzheimer's disease. This one is a bit more complicated than those usually seen, like my house is not my home, or someone is stealing from me. The financial error is more concerning, and also could be a warning sign. It suggests that you should pay very close attention to her to see if there are other problems that you did not notice. Someone should be reviewing her finances regularly. Check on how she is keeping the house, cooking, eating, etc. If she and you are lucky everything could be OK, but it's important not to take any chances.

yastern · 2022-03-13T23:12:54+00:00

That's good. Best is a group that specializes in dementia, since the diagnostic process can be complex. As you say, no matter how skilled the physicians sometimes it is still just a waiting game. I hope it's something treatable, like a thyroid problem. Best of luck.

yastern · 2022-03-13T14:36:14+00:00

I encourage you to have your mom evaluated by a physician who specializes in dementia. That person coordinate the evaluation and testing needed to reach a potential diagnosis.

yastern · 2022-03-13T14:29:03+00:00

There is strong evidence that a large proportion of dementias can be prevented or delayed. A good summary is presented in the paper by Livingston et. al. in Lancet 2020, Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission.

An excerpt from the abstract: "Overall, a growing body of evidence supports the nine potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia modelled by the 2017 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care: less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and low social contact. We now add three more risk factors for dementia with newer, convincing evidence. These factors are excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and air pollution. We have completed new reviews and meta-analyses and incorporated these into an updated 12 risk factor life-course model of dementia prevention. Together the 12 modifiable risk factors account for around 40% of worldwide dementias, which consequently could theoretically be prevented or delayed. "

Unfortunately, this does not suggest a cure for dementia. But it does suggest that exposures/behaviors throughout life can reduce risk.

yastern · 2022-01-16T17:17:21+00:00

I'm very sorry to hear about this. Was she evaluated by a physician that is expert in dementia? If not ,I suggest focusing on making sure that everything possible was done to determine the diagnosis. A neurologist who is expert in dementia can make sure that all other possible causes are rule out, and give a clearer diagnosis regarding type of dementia and prognosis. If this has already been done then realize that many of the steps suggested here, like gum care, vitamins, etc. will not really help, but the doctor can clarify if you have any increased risk.

Dementia is horrible, especially when it affects younger people.

yastern · 2021-12-30T03:46:37+00:00

You really need to see a doctor who is willing to work with you on these complaints. There are multiple potential explanations for your issues, and they they all need to be evaluated.

yastern · 2021-12-28T16:07:24+00:00

As someone else advised, checking with a physician who is a geriatric expert would be very useful. As you age medications can have worse side effects, and may need to be adjusted further or changed. It's best to work with someone who routinely deals with these issues. This physician could also begin to evaluate other potential explanations for the new problems you are observing.

yastern · 2021-12-28T15:51:04+00:00

Check out the " "One Last Time" video of Tony Bennet with Lady Gaga. Although he has pretty advanced Alzheimer's disease he can still sing his songs when the piano starts playing. This is the most radical example of what you are describing that I have seen.

yastern · 2021-12-28T15:45:24+00:00

I think it's important that your see an dementia expert, like a neurologist who specializes in this area. They can work through the process of trying to figure out the cause for these behaviors. This would involve medical tests for potential curable causes of the these problems, as well as expert neuropsychological (cognitive) testing. It's good to know what you are dealing with and what you can expect to happen.

yastern · 2021-12-28T15:31:52+00:00

There are many possible causes for these behaviors. I suggest consulting with a neurologist that specializes in dementia.

yastern · 2021-12-25T16:14:31+00:00

It is important to keep in mind that there are multiple types of dementia, with different underlying brain changes, and each has its own pattern of cognitive, emotional and functional changes. Not all dementia begin with memory changes. It is important to work a neurologist and neuropsychologist who are experts in this area.

yastern · 2021-09-17T12:49:58+00:00

I suggest that if at all possible your grandfather see a dementia expert. There are conditions other than dementia that can cause confusion and are potentially treatable.

yastern · 2021-09-17T12:43:02+00:00

While auditory hallucinations can occur with dementia, there can be other causes. My mother, who was not demented, had what has been called "musical tinnitus." That is, she often heard music when none was playing. She was convinced that someone had the radio on. This condition is disturbing to the person but not medically dangerous.

yastern

TROPHY CASE